Barely Breathing (The Breathing #2)(156)

I hurried past Evan, toward the car. My entire body trembled. I released a broken breath as the tears flooded my eyes.

"Emma," Evan called after me, rushing to catch up and grabbing my arm.

"I can't," I pulled away. "I can't be here. We need to go. Please. We need to go."

I turned away from him and climbed into the passenger side. I closed my eyes to hold back the tears, taking long drawn breaths. My chest tightened with each pass of air, trying to release the possessing rage.

Evan slid in beside me and pulled the keys from his pocket.

"I don't ever want to see her again," I choked, shaking my head. I pressed my fingers into my forehead, rubbing it hard with my eyes closed. "I can't..."

"I know," Evan said, starting the car. "Try to calm down, Emma. Breathe."

The shame of what he saw hit me as we drove away. I pulled my brows together in distress. "I'm so sorry, Evan. I don't know what just happened. I was just so... angry. I couldn't stop."

"I've never seen you like that before," Evan said quietly. "You always keep everything locked up. It was hard to watch, but you'd reached your limit."

I looked over at him, perplexed. "Evan, I was awful. Worse than awful. You should be disgusted with me." The weight of what I'd done crushed me, and I felt wretched.

"I was shocked," Evan admitted, glancing over at me quickly. "I mean, you were... enraged, and I hope to never see that side of you again. But Emma, after everything she put you through, you had every right to be furious. Except for you wishing away this life. That... that bothered me."

"I was upset," I whispered, still unsettled by his reaction, or lack thereof. "You know I didn't mean it."



       
         
       
        

"I hope so," he returned, flashing me a worried glance.

"Where are we going?" I asked, looking around as he turned onto a street that didn't take us back to his house.

"Somewhere that will help you," Evan answered, reaching for my trembling hand.

Then I recognized where we were headed. "We're going to the high school?"

Evan just grinned.

I eyed him curiously when we pulled into the school's parking lot. "I don't understand."

"Just come with me," Evan requested, getting out of the car.

The school was practically deserted. A few voices could be heard through the halls, but most clubs had disbanded, and the sports' practices dispersed.

When we reached the second floor corridor, Evan turned to me and instructed, "Close your eyes."

"Are you serious?" I asked dubiously, not really in the mood for one of his surprises.

"It's not what you think," he assured me. "Just close your eyes."

I let out a resigned breath and did as he directed. Evan kept a hold of my hand and guided me further down the hall. We stopped and he released me. I heard the jangling of keys and the click of a lock.

"Keep them shut," he ordered, taking hold of my hand again and leading me forward.

With the slightest inhale, I instantly recognized the scents swirling in the air.

"Breathe, Emma," he coaxed, squeezing my hand. "It's okay."

"How'd you know?" I asked, overcome with emotion. I breathed deeply and eased the air through my chest, searching for the release I always sought in this room. I opened my eyes and found Evan gazing at me affectionately.

"Because I know you."

I closed my eyes and consumed the faint traces of paint, glue and cleaner, releasing the darkened fury with each cleansing breath.

I moved to him and put my arms around his chest, pressing against him. "Thank you."

He held me tenderly, being mindful not to squeeze too tight.

"Hold on to this life, Emma," he whispered. "You're so much stronger than you think you are."

I looked up at him with glistening eyes. Evan bent down, and the warmth of his lips captured my breath, helping me find the calm I was unable to find on my own.





41. Power of Suggestion



"Where are you?" Sara asked when I picked up the phone. I groaned, instantly realizing we'd forgotten to tell her that we weren't at Rachel's.

"Oh, Sara, I'm sorry," I replied. "We're driving back to Evan's. Rachel and I got into a horrible fight, so we left. Are you there?"

"Yeah. Did you get everything?" 

"Um," I considered, then recalled, "oh, there's one box left, but we can get it another day."

"Why don't I just grab it now since I'm here?" she offered casually.

"You may not want to do that," I cautioned. "She was a mess when we left. I was... I was pretty ruthless."